Drier



Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRIER Application July 9, 1929, Serial No. 377,059

14 Claims. (01. 219-39) My invention relates to driers, and the principal object of my invention is to provide a new and improved drier; in the drawing accompanying this specification, and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, one form which my invention may assume, and in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of this illustrative embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is a front view thereof,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail view of the thermostatic switch, while Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the actual arrangement of the parts.

The embodiment of my invention herein shown comprises a base 11, provided on its lower surface with suitable feet 12, and provided on its upper surface with a seat 13 to which is secured by means of a machine screw 14 a Wish-bone frame 15 having its two arms apertured at their ends to receive pivot screws 16 projecting from a relatively heavy support 17 and by which the support 17 is pivotally mounted upon the wish-bone l5 and therefore upon the base 11.

Secured to the support 1''! by bolts, not shown, is a relatively heavy ring 18, and interiorly of this ring 18 is positioned a blower 19 supported from the ring 18 by means of radial struts 20 secured at their outer ends to the ring 18 and at their inner ends to the frame of an electric motor 21 which with its fan constitutes the blower 19.

Carried by the front end of the frame of the motor 21, and therefore supported from the ring 18, is an irradiating means, herein shown as a lamp 23 supported from the frame of the motor 40 21 by means of a lamp base 24 secured to the forward end of the motor frame, while carried directly by the ring 18 is a heating unit comprising a heating element 25 supported by suitable insulators 26 mounted in the free ends of arms 2'? having their fixed ends riveted to the ring 18.

Enclosing this mechanism on the rear side of the ring 18 is a rear casing member 28 which is provided at its end with an inlet aperture 29 covered by a suitable wire screen 30, and is contoured to cooperate with the fan 22, which is of the centrifugal type, to produce a blast of air moving forward in an annulus about the motor 21, traversing the heating element 25, enveloping the lamp 23, and emerging through an outlet 5 opening 31 covered by a screen 32 and formed in the forward end of a forward casing member 33 mounted on the forward side of the ring 18 and enclosing the mechanism on the forward sideof the ring 18.

Both casing members are of relatively light construction, and are shouldered at 34 to abut the edges of the ring 18, and beyond the shoulders 34 are provided with beads 35 engageable by spring clips 36 to hold the casing members assembled in position on the ring 18 but quickly detachable therefrom.

Mounted in the path of the air, and preferably between the fan 22 and the heating element 25, so as to act on the air when it is under pressure and before it is heated, is a screen 37 substending substantially all of the annular space between the motor 21 and the ring 18, supported in any suitable manner, as by a grating 38, and carrying a suitable chemical effective to dehydrate the air at least in part, such as calcium chloride, the screen carrying the chemical in any suitable manner, as between two layers of open-mesh cloth quilted together with the chemical interposed.

Of course it will be understood that this screen requires replacement from time to time, and it will be appreciated that the construction herein disclosed facilitates this replacement, since the screen is supported only against movement in the direction of the air current, and can be withdrawn at will in the reverse direction.

The energization of the drier mechanisms is controlled by a switch 39 mounted in a depending boss 40 carried by the support 17 and having a contact arm 41 connected to one line wire 42 and movable into four operating positions.

In the first position this arm 41 engages a contact 43 connected to a conductor 44 leading to one terminal of the motor 21, and energy is con- .ducted only to the blower 19; in the second position the switch arm 41 engages a contact 45 also connected to the motor conductor 44, and also a contact 46 connected by a conductor 47 to one terminal of the lamp 23, so that in the second position energy is conducted both to the blower 19 and to the lamp 23; in the third position the switch arm 41 engages a contact 48 connected to the motor conductor 44 and a contact 49 connected to a conductor 50 leading to one terminal of the heating element 25, so that in the third position energy is conducted both to the blower 19 and to the heating element 25; and in the fourth position the switch arm engages a contact 51 connected to the motcrrconductor 44 and a contact 52 connected to the lamp conductor 47 and a contact 53 connected to the heating ele ment 50, so that in the fourth position energy is conducted to all three of the drier mechanisms.

Under these circumstances it will be apparent that there may be energized either merely the blower, or the blower and the lamp, or the blower and the heating element, or all three of the mechanisms, as desired.

' But in the drier herein disclosed there is interposed an additional or safety control comprising a thermostatic switch 54 interposed between the return line conductor 56 and the common return conductor of the three mechanisms.

This thermostatic switch 54 comprises a bimetallic thermostatic element 57 carrying at its free end a contact 58 connected to the common return conductor 55 and cooperating with a stationary contact 59 connected to the return line conductor 56, and this thermostatic switch 54 is mounted on the forward casing member 33 opposite the heating element 25.

The thermostatic switch 54 is normally closed, and will remain closed so long as the blower 19 is operating substantially normally, regardless of whether or not the lamp 23 and heating element 25 are energized, since the current of air from the blower 19 will maintain the thermostatic element 5'7 below the temperature at which it will break contact between the terminals 58 and 59, but if while either the lamp 23 or heating element 25 is energized the operation and functioning of the blower 19 becomes sufiiciently subnormal so that a dangerous heating condition is approached then the thermostatic element 57 will become suiiiciently heated-to separate the contacts 58 and 59 and open the return circuit to de-energize all of the mechanisms of the drier.

From the above it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have disclosed herein a drier of superior mechanical construction, provided with means to increase its eiilciency by dehumidifying the air delivered from its outlet, provided with a control by which the heating and irradiating means cannot be energized except when the blower is energized, and provided with a further or safety control by which the heating and irradiating means cannot remain energized except so long as the blower functions substantially with normal effect, and under these circumstances it will be obvious that the embodiment of my invention herein disclosed accomplishes at least the principal object of my invention. At the same time those skilled in the art will realize that there are present advantages other than those specifically pointed out or suggested herein, also that the embodiment of my invention herein disclosed and described can be variously changed and modified and yet retain at least some of these advantages, and under these circumstances it will readily be understood that the embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. A drier, comprising: a blower; irradiating means; and thermostatic means cooperable with said irradiating means, constructed, when subjected to the combined influence of said irradiating means and of the current of air generated by said blower, to assume a first'positioneffective to maintain operation of said irradiating means, and movable toassume a second position when no longer subject to the current of air, to cut 011 operation of said irradiating means.

2. A drier, comprising: a blower; irradiating means; conductors forming parallel circuits one for said blower and one for said irradiating means, said parallel circuits having a common return; and thermostatic means interposed in said common return, constructed to assume a first position eflfective to maintain energization of said parallel circuits, and movable upon abnormal rise in heat, to assume a second position to out out said parallel circuits.

3. A drier, comprising: a blower; irradiating means; conductors forming parallel circuits one for said blower and one for said irradiating means, said parallel circuits having a common return; and thermostatic means interposed in said common return, constructed to assume a first position effective to maintain energization of said parallel circuits, and movable upon abnormal rise in heat to assume a second position to cut out said parallel circuits; and ,a switch for selec tively energizing one or both of said parallel circuits.

4. A drier, comprising: a blower; irradiating means; conductors forming parallel oircuits'one for said blower and one for said irradiating means, said parallel circuits having a common return; and thermostatic means interposed in said common return, constructed, when subjected to the combined influence of said irradiating means and of the current of air generated by said blower, to assume a first position effective to maintain energization of said parallel circuits, and movable to assume a second position should the current of air he accidentally interrupted, to cut out said parallel circuits.

5. A drier, comprising: a blower; irradiating means; conductors forming parallel circuits one for said blower and one for said irradiating means, said parallel circuits having a common return; thermostatic means interposed in said common'return, constructed, when subjected to the combined influence of said irradiating means and of the current of air generated by said blow er, to assume a first position effective to maintain energization of said parallel circuits, and movable to assume a second position should the current of air be accidentally interrupted, to cut out said parallel circuits; and a switch for selectively energizing one or both of said parallel circuits.

6. A drier, comprising: a casing; a fan mounted adjacent one end of said casing and operable to direct air therethrough; and a partition extending across said casing, pervious to air, and interposed between the fan and the outlet of said casing, and carrying means for reducing humidity of the air passing therethrough.

'7. A drier, having a. casing; a tan mounted adjacent one end of said casing and operable to direct air therethrough; and a partition extending across said casing, and interposed between the fan and the outlet of said casing, said partition comprising spaced screens having humidity reducing means disposed therebetween.

8. A drier, comprising: a support; a ring mounted on said support and having an inwardly directed flange; a casing mounted on said ring; a fan mounted at one side of said ring and operable to direct air through said casing; and a partition extending across said casing, pervious to air, interposed between the fan and the outlet of said casing, and carrying means for reducing humidity of the air passing therethrough, said partition being detachably seated against the side of the flange of said ring adjacent said fan.

9. A drier, comprising: a support; a supporting ring carried by said support; an elongated blower unit mounted in and projecting from opposite sidesot said ring; a first casing enclosing said blower unit at one side of said ring and telescopically supported on said ring; a second casing enclosing said blower unit at the opposite side of said ring and telescopically supported upon said ring; and fastening means independent of said ring, operable to connect or release said casings simultaneously with respect to each other and with respect to supported position on said rmg.

10. A drier, comprising: a support; a supporting ring carried by said support; an elongated blower unit mounted in and projecting from opposite sides of said ring; a. first casing enclosing said blower unit at one side of said ring, having a shouldered portion telescopically supported on said ring, and having a laterally extending flange; a second casing enclosing said blower unit at the opposite side of said ring, having a shouldered portion telescopically supported upon said ring and having a laterally extending flange; and fastening means independent of said ring, operable to connect or release both of said casings simultaneously with respect to each other and with respect to supported position on said ring.

11. A drier, comprising: a support; a supporting ring carried by said support; an elongated blower unit mounted in and projecting from opposite sides of said ring; a first casing enclosing said blower unit at one side oi said ring, telescopically supported on said ring, and having a laterally extending flange; a second casing enclosing said blower unit at the opposite side of said .ring, telescopically supported upon said ring and each other and with respect to supported position on said ring.

12. A drier, comprising: a support; a supporting ring carried by said support; an elongated blower unit mounted 1m and projecting from opnect or release both of said casings simultaneously with respect to each other and with respect to supported position on said ring.

13. A drier, comprising: a support; a supporting ring carried by said support; an elongated blower unit carried within, and projecting from opposite sides of said ring; a first casing enclosing said blower unit at one side of said ring and supported on said ring; a second casing enclosing said blower unit at the opposite side of said ring and supported upon said ring; a heater enclosed by one of said casings; and means carried by said ring and ofiset to support said heater in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent casing when the latter is in position upon said ring.

14. A drier, comprising: a support; a support-.

ing ring carried by said support; an elongated blower unit mounted inand projecting from opposite sides of said ring; a first casing enclosing said blower unit at one side of said ring and telescopically supported on said ring; a second casing enclosing said blower unit at the opposite side of said ring and telescopically supported upon said ring; fastening means independent of said ring, operable to connect or release both of said casings simultaneously with respect to each other and with respect to supported position on .said ring; a heater enclosed by one of said casings; and means carried by said ring and ofiset to supp rt said heater in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent casing when the latter is in position upon said ring.

' WENDELL L. MARTIN. 

